Sanger woman dies trying to save dogs from house fire

A woman was killed in a fire early Saturday near Sanger after running back into her home to save her dogs that had already escaped the flames on their own, said Mike Bowman, Fresno County fire battalion chief.

The 911 call after midnight was made by the woman, whose mobile home was on fire on Lone Oak Avenue near Piedra and Kings Canyon roads.

Laura Doud, 48, of Sanger, told the 911 operator that her pets were still inside, but the operator told her not to attempt re-entry.

Doud did not heed the warning and rushed back in anyway, Bowman said.

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Other 911 calls alerted firefighters that Doud had gone back in the home, but the mobile-home construction made it impossible for firefighters to go in after her. The walls were deteriorating and firefighters were stepping through the flooring as it collapsed.

“Fire was pouring out of every window,” Bowman said. “She succumbed to smoke and fire.”

The dogs had gotten out of the home without Doud’s knowledge.

Firefighters had the flames out in one hour, but remained on site to investigate.

“It’s a tragic situation,” Bowman said. “It’s too bad for this rural community. We see these things happen all too often.”